Event listings are FREE of charge. Send your flyers/info to Scott at scotmckie@ebci-nsn.gov or to Cherokeeonefeather1966@gmail.com
BENEFITS/FUNDRAISERS
Turkey Shoots at the Jesse Welch Turkey Shoot Facility in Kolanvyi (Big Cove). Good food, good fun, great prizes, great benefits.
- Jan. 1, 2025 at 11 a.m., sponsored by Norman Walkingstick
Bingo Fundraiser for Kenai Juarez. Dec. 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Deb West Senior Center (formerly Tsali Manor) in Cherokee, N.C. $20/person and includes Bingo cards and a door prize raffle ticket. Proceeds will benefit hospital stay for surgery. Info: (828) 269-8063
Senior 2025 Fundraisers at the West Senior Center (formerly Tsali Manor). Info: Annette Craig (828) 226-6703
- Jan. 18. Breakfast, Bake Sale, and 50/50 Raffle. $15/plate
- March 15. Bingo
- April 14. Basket Raffle
- May 25-31. Silent Auction
EBCI COMMUNITY EVENTS
Elawodi (Yellowhill) December activities at the Yellowhill Activity Center:
- Dec. 21: Christmas Dinner at 4 p.m., door prizes and treat bags will be given out. Community members, please bring side dishes or desserts. The club is providing ham, turkey, dressing and gravy.
- Dec. 31: RezHope Recovery Winter Social for New Year’s Eve from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Cherokee Christmas Parade. Dec. 14 in downtown Cherokee, N.C. Info: (828) 359-6490
Mammal Mysteries. Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m. at the Yellowhill Activity Center in Cherokee, N.C. Malia Skulski, from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Dustin Tramper, Cherokee storyteller, will join North Carolina Arboretum’s ecoEXPLORE team in teaching about mammals through hands-on science and art activities. Free food will be provided, and all youth attendees will receive a free pair of binoculuars.
2nd Annual Luftee Leap. Jan. 1 at the Oconaluftee Island Park in Cherokee, N.C. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Unity Field. The plunge is set for 12 p.m. Donations are being taken for the Leap, and all donations will go to the Cherokee Cancer Support Group.
Beginner Cherokee Language. Jan. 13 to Feb. 19 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee, N.C. Educator Landon French, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, will lead biweekly Cherokee language lessons for beginners. This offering is free of charge and open to all. Registration is not required: just show up. Participants are encouraged to attend each session, but drop-ins are welcome. Week 1: Jan. 13 and 15, Week 2: Jan. 20 and 22; Week 3: Jan. 27 and 29, Week 4: Feb. 3 and 5, Week 5: Feb. 10 and 12, and Week 6: Feb. 17 and 19.
Cherokee History & Stories. January through June 2025 on the first Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. in the TJ Holland Education Room at the Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee, N.C. Museum of the Cherokee People welcomes storyteller and historian Kathi Littlejohn, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, for Cherokee History & Stories. This free educational series will explore culturally significant places, stories, and key figures in Cherokee history. All are welcome to listen and learn; no registration is required.
EBCI COMMUNITY REGULAR MEETINGS
Cherokee Storytellers meet the fourth Tuesday of every month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ray Kinsland Leadership building in Cherokee, N.C. All ages are welcome. The group shares stories and resources.
Cherokee storytelling and Cherokee history in the Snowbird Community Library at 60 Snowbird School Rd. in Robbinsville, N.C., every fourth Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. All ages are welcome.
TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETINGS
(All meetings are held in the Cherokee Tribal Council House in Cherokee, N.C. unless otherwise noted.)
Health Board: Dec. 18 at 8:30 a.m.
Qualla Housing Board: Dec. 19 at 8:30 a.m.
HEALTH & SPORTS EVENTS
POW WOW LISTINGS
Youth Mentorship Gourd Dance Organization Cheers to Sobriety “Dancing for Strength & Prosperity” New Year’s Eve Gourd Dance and Social Pow Wow Celebration. Dec. 31 at the National Guard Armory in Albuquerque, N.M. MC: James Edwards. Head Southern Singer: Edward Pacheco. Info: Milton Yazzie (505) 410-8475, mel_yazz@yahoo.com
First Peoples Festival Friendship Pow Wow. Jan. 18-19 at the Estes Park Events Complex in Estes Park, Colo. MC: Steve LaPointe. Host Northern Drum: Lame Deer. Host Southern Drum: Cozad Jrs. Info: No contact information provided
MMIP Central Oklahoma 3rd Annual Benefit Gourd Dance. Jan. 25 at the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Chena Building in Tryon, Okla. MC: Coy McLemore. Head Singer: Jake Chappell. Info: (405) 481-4089 or mmip.coc@gmail.com
Seminole Tribal Fair and Pow Wow. Jan. 31 – Feb. 1 at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center in Hollywood, Fla. Emcees: Juaquin Hamilton and Ruben Little Head. Info: 1-800-683-7800 ext. 11468; Wanda Bowers (954) 444-9827, or Eugenia Osceola (954) 594-2992
SUPPORT GROUPS
Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Analenisgi. Info: www.AAwnc80.com
Celebrate Recovery meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Cherokee Baptist Church at 812 Tsalagi Road, in Cherokee, N.C. This is a Christ-centered recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, hang-ups, and habits of any kind. All are welcome. Info: Chris McMillan (828) 788-5410
Cherokee Cancer Support Group, potluck dinner with a speaker the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Betty’s Place, 40 Goose Creek Rd, Cherokee, N.C. Anyone is welcome to attend the potluck. The group provides educational and emotional support to clients and families of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians members with cancer. The group can provide financial assistance for fuel, lodging, and transportation and also can assist with mastectomy items, nutritional supplements, wigs, and related products. The group can volunteer to take a client to their appointment if it is requested in a timely manner. Betty’s Place is open Monday through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: (828) 497-0788
Life Recovery is a Bible-based 12-step small group meeting held Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. held in the Rivercane Conference Room at Analenisgi. All material is provided. This small group is for anyone struggling in life with addiction, food, depression, anxiety, relationships, or spiritual struggles. Info: Deb Conseen-Bradley at kellideb@gmail.com or Scott Hill (828) 508-7836
Life@WesternCarolina. each Wednesday morning during the academic school year the Life@ group meets on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. For those over the age of 50 and looking for ways to engage with the community. To learn more or register visit life.wcu.edu or contact Western Carolina University Educational Outreach (828) 227-7397.
MARA (Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous) meets Thursdays at 5 p.m. in the Rivercane Room at Analenisgi. Info: Analenisgi (828) 497-9163 or visit: https://cherokeehospital.org/locations/analenisgi
WESTERN N.C. & BEYOND EVENTS
Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society meeting. Jan. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center at 45 East Ridge Dr. in Bryson City, N.C. Jerry Ledford will present “Rails along the Oconaluftee: The Appalachian Railway-Ravensford Story”. Conversation and refreshments will follow the presentation. Attendance at the meeting is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.